Ladies&#39; zipper puller



- k. R. LAMB LADIES ZIPPER FULLER May 26, 1959 Filed Oct. 26, 1956 INVENTOR. KAY R. LAME 7 ATTORNEYS United States Patent LADIES ZIPPER PULLER Kay R. Lamb, Rockford, Ill.

Application October '26, 1956, Serial No. 618,512 1 'Claim. (Cl. 24-205.15)

This invention relates to zipper fasteners, and more particularly to an actuating device for facilitating the operation of a zipper fastener when accessibility to the fastener is difficult, for example, when the fastener is located on the back of a garment and when the wearer of the garment desires to open or close the fastener.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved zipper actuating device which is simple in construction, which is easy to manipulate, and which enables a person to easily and rapidly close the zipper without undue physical exertion.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved zipper actuator adapted to be used for operating zipper fasteners located at the rear of a garment, the actuator being inexpensive to fabricate, being sturdy in construction, and being easily engaged with the eyelet element of the slide fastener, as well as protecting the fabric adjacent to the slide fastener from catching in the fastener when the zipper is operated to its closed position.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view of a zipper operating device according to the present invention engaged with the eyelet element of a slide fastener located at the rear of a garment, showing the manner in which the device is employed to close the zipper.

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevational view showing the main body of the zipper actuating device engaged with the eyelet element of the zipper in operating position.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective bottom view of the main member of the zipper operating device shown in Figures 1 to 3.

Referring to the drawings, 11 generally designates the zipper operating device of the present invention, the device comprising a rigid channel-shaped member 12 having a Web portion 13 and a pair of side flanges 14, 14, the member 12 being adapted to engage over the tooth members 15, 15 of a zipper and over the eyelet member 16 of a slide fastener associated therewith. The flanges 14, 14 are provided with arcuately rounded edges 17 so as to smoothly engage the fabric outwardly adjacent the tooth members 15, 15 of the zipper and to slide thereover without catching on the fabric. Said flanges 14, 14 serve to prevent the material adjacent the zipper from catching in the tooth elements 15, 15, as the zipper is actuated, as above explained, whereby the fabric is protected and whereby the zipper cannot become jammed.

Struck inwardly on the web 13 midway between the 2,887,751 Patented May 26, 1959 flanges 14, 14 is a tongue element 19 formed with a hook portion 20, said hook portion being adapted to engage in the aperture of the eyelet member 16 of the slide fastener with which the device is to be employed.

The web 13 is formed with an elongated extension or finger 21 of substantial length formed at its end with an aperture 22. Connected to the finger 21 at the aperture 22 is a flexible cable element 23 of substantial length. A rigid ring 24 is secured to the end of the cable element 23, as shown in Figure 3, whereby the channel member 12 may be raised by elevating the ring 24, as will be now described.

In using the device, the channel member 12 is engaged over the eyelet member 16 of the slide fastener to be raised, in the manner shown in Figure 3, with the hook element 20 engaged through the aperture of the eyelet member 16. This may be easily accomplished by reaching around to the back of the garment and fitting the channel member 12 over the slide fastener eyelet member, moving the channel member vertically until the hook element 20 engages in the aperture of the eyelet member 16. This is done with one hand, while the user holds the ring 24 with her other hand. After the hook element 20 has been engaged with the aperture of the eyelet 16, the ring 24 is elevated, causing the slide factener to be elevated and to close the opposing tooth elements 15, 15 of the zipper. After the zipper has been closed by raising the slide fastener element thereof to its uppermost position, the channel member 12 may be readily disengaged from the eyelet member 16. A reverse procedure is employed to open the zipper.

While a specific embodiment of an improved device for operating a slide fastener has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the appended claim.

What is claimed is: J

A device for operating a slide fastener of the type in which there is an element having an eyelet, comprising a rigid channel-shaped member having a web portion and a pair of side flanges and being adapted to engage over said element with said side flanges engaging the surfaces on opposite sides of said element, said side flanges having arcuately rounded edges, an inwardly projecting hook extending between said side flanges and struck substantially centrally from said web portion and adapted to engage in said eyelet, and an elongated flat finger element pro jecting from one end of said web portion and being substantially coplanar therewith, said finger element being formed with an aperture adjacent its end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,216,860 Shearer Feb. 20, 1917 1,519,738 McGowan Dec. 16, 1924 2,292,484 Schwartz Aug. 11, 1942 2,531,805 Clark Nov. 28, 1950 2,835,952 Mininberg May 27, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 175,858 Austria Aug.,25, 1953 

